Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to study attempting to correct beta-thalassemia mutation using base editing in human embryos
Scientists publishing in Protein & Cell report the first study using base editing to correct a mutation in human embryos, for the disease beta-thalassemia. read more
expert reaction to study looking at immune cells and fat metabolism in ageing mice
New research, publishing in Nature, investigates how the nervous system and immune system communicate to control metabolism and inflammation in ageing mice. read more
TB vaccines- why are they so hard to develop?
16 years ago, there were no new TB vaccines being tested in clinical trials, despite a huge global burden of disease. Over the last 16 years there has been significant progress and we now have a pipeline of ~12 candidates being tested in human clinical trials. read more
Plan to drill energy research site in Cheshire
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and British Geological Survey (BGS) will announce plans for a multi-million-pound geological research facility to be built in Cheshire. read more
expert reaction to Opinion article suggesting tackle and scrum should be banned in school rugby
An opinion piece, published in the BMJ, argues that tackle and scrum should be banned in school rugby because head injury is associated with an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, adding to existing evidence that head injury may lead to neurodegenerative diseases, e.g. Parkinson’s disease. read more
expert reaction to study looking at vagus nerve stimulation in a patient in a vegetative state
Researchers publishing in Current Biology report that a 35 year-old man who had been in a vegetative state for 15 years has shown signs of consciousness after neurosurgeons implanted a vagus nerve stimulator into his chest. read more
expert reaction to draft NICE guidance on diagnosing Lyme disease
The National Institute for Care Excellence (Nice) has announced a new draft guideline for diagnosing and managing Lyme disease. read more
Developmental Language Disorder – an unrecognised burden
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), a form of learning difficulty, has received little recognition amongst the public or medical community yet it is extremely common, has a lifelong impact and there are interventions that can help. read more
expert reaction to study looking at physical activity and prevention of cardiovascular disease and early death
A new study, published in the Lancet, examines the association between higher recreational and non-recreational physical activity and lower risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease. read more
expert reaction to study looking at gene immunotherapy in mice with multiple sclerosis
In a new study published in Molecular Therapy researchers – using gene immunotherapy – were able to demonstrate the prevention and reversing of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in mice. read more
The Lightning Process – a controversial treatment for children with chronic fatigue
The Lightning Process is a controversial treatment that is sometimes used for children with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). read more
expert reaction to controversial treatment for CFS/ME
In a new study, and despite strong initial scepticism, researchers publishing in the Journal of Archives of Disease in Childhood report that a training course alongside specialist care has proved to be an effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encdephalomyelitis (ME). read more
a controversial treatment for children with chronic fatigue syndrome – The Lightning Process
In a new study, and despite their strong initial scepticism, researchers publishing in the Journal of Archives of Disease in Childhood report that a training course alongside specialist care appears to be effective treatment for children with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encdephalomyelitis (ME). read more
UK first – Results of genome editing in human embryos
Last year, Kathy Niakan, a developmental biologist at the Francis Crick Institute, was the first UK scientist to be given the go-ahead by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to use genome-editing techniques on human embryos. Kathy’s research aims to understand aspects of the basic biology of early human embryo development and the role of specific genes. read more
expert reaction to study looking at parental age and genetic mutations in children
There is a higher incidence of new genetic mutations in the offspring of older parents, especially fathers, report scientists in a new study in Nature. read more
expert reaction to first UK results of genome editing in human embryos
A team of scientists from the Francis Crick Institute has just published the first UK results of research using genome editing techniques on human embryos. The proof of principle study uses the CRISPR-CaS9 genome editing technique to study the role of the Oct4 gene in early human embryo development. read more
expert reaction to NHS Digital Childhood Vaccination Coverage Statistics for 2016-17
NHS Digital has published their 2016-17 childhood vaccination coverage statistics. read more
expert reaction to Mexico earthquake
An earthquake that measured 7.1 on the richter scale has struck central Mexico. read more
expert reaction to study looking at playing American football before age 12 and measures of mood, behaviour and cognition in later life
In a new cohort study, researchers publishing in Translational Psychiatry report that playing American football before the age of 12 may have long-term consequences for players’ moods and behaviours. read more
end of the global warming slowdown and prospects of limiting warming to 1.5C
Scientists from the Met Office presented their latest data on global temperatures – including evidence which suggests the ‘slowdown’ in global surface temperatures has come to an end, and that temperature rise has recently accelerated again. read more